Indo-US nuclear deal on the rocks - 16 Oct 07

Al Jazeera's Andrea Clarke reports on the deal that was "supposed" to be the foundation of a new partnership between India and the US after decades of diplomatic tension. But instead, it's heading for disaster: with India's prime minister telling President George W. Bush that he's having difficulties finalizing the pact. SHARON Sharon Squassoni of the Carnegie Centre says everyone know all along there was some dissent within political parties. But there's not much this White House can do to fix this problem, that's going to be Prime Minister Singh's job. The agreement allows for peaceful nuclear co-operation. India could buy US nuclear reactors and access technology. And in return, the US becomes a regular supplier for India's energy programme. The pact drew heavy criticism from American lawmakers, who argued it could spark a regional arms race. The deal also angered an alliance of communist parties whose support is key to the survival of Singh's coalition, and BJP, India's largest opposition party. They're concerned the deal would erode India's sovereignty. Tensions have reached boiling point in recent weeks, triggering the backdown from Prime Minister Singh. Squassni says one of criticisms in Indian press now is he putting his own political future first before India's strategic interests. There are a number of ways this could play out. Desperate to salvage the agreement, the US remains positive, insisting the deal is not dead. Tom Case, State Department spokesman, says: "We still believe the deal is a good one for India and its broader efforts at non-proliferation". At stake here --a major foreign policy embarrassment for the administration. And potentially, a number of defense contracts worth billions of dollars to the US. Even if India found a way to move forward it would have major obstacles to overcome with the IAEA and then face a US congress preoccupied with finding a way to end the war in Iraq.

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[anand5678]

THE DEAL IS DONE ......

and the left parties were miserable in the following elections ....

[buldhana]

Well the government won the confidence vote in '08 itself and i think the deal should go through just fine!

[chandrasekarmk]

@punecityguy u r rit... that too civilian nuclear deal is not goin to hurt our defence... they are going to check only t civilian reactors... not defence...

[avoidgirlfriend]

can anyone tell me .....what are the merits and benifits of this deal for india?

[shashanksane]

the point is we dont see india and US as two different countries.... nationhood is a outdated primitive concept... in todays world we see the like minded people in the world in one group ...who care abt democracy... humanrights and freedom.... and the other group are destructive primitive.... mentally ill and ignorant maggots.... who carry extremist mentalities of all kinds...... this is the new world order...

[Kisspak17]

Pakistan say sorry

[blacklions714]

India! India you will become more independent with out the US. The US wants to take away your weapons. Fellow Americans take a look at how we are hated by the more legitimate world. We are doomed, don't count on your socialist beliefs to save you now. Its only a matter of months before our forces are knocked out. And the rescue mission to release us from the burdens of the current corruptions. You have no hope you brainwashed fools. God bless the Russian Patriots.

[paalu84]

now india will fuck pakistan more harder

[NUMBER4940]

well she was wrong. the deal was settled just today as i read it on the news. i never even heard anything about this until today.

bush sure is fighting until the end.

[protikmaitra]

If you read my other posts, you will understand my point. I have never said we don't need power. My concern is with the obligations that Hyde Act places on the US President. Again, I am not arguing against power, both nuclear as well as non-nuclear. I am talking about Hyde Act. I am fed up of getting the same replies again and again that we need power. We all know we need power. Let's keep this in context.

[punecityguy]

suhas20, i completely agree with you. just to protect a few hundred million and to ensure nuclear sovereignty, we should not forget the millions of others who live without a basic amenity like elec